Local:
Reimagining Franklin Street: GPL staff attended a public presentation and open house about the newly-released draft concept plan for an updated street design and land use plan for Franklin Street. The plan proposes to expand the historic Lincoln Park, adding back nearly ½ acre of land that was removed during Urban Renewal. The plan also provides bike lanes, creates pedestrian zones, and reconnects Lancaster, Oxford, Federal, and Newbury Streets across the travel lanes, knitting back together a neighborhood that was divided by highway. The public is strongly encouraged to take a look at the draft plan and provide feedback directly on the website. You can also read comments left by others. Comments are due by September 25th.
Urban Forestry Management Plan: With the support of the Portland Parks Conservancy, the City of Portland has launched an effort to strategize an urban tree plan called the Portland Urban Forest Master Plan. GPL Director of Advocacy Alison Frazee is serving on the Advisory Group and participated in a recent workshop. Now is your chance to speak for the trees! Learn more about the project here, take the online survey, and invite the team to engage with your local neighborhood group, club, or congregation- reach out to treemanagement@portlandmaine.gov to schedule. Trees are not only critical for Climate Action and to improve safety and quality of life, they are also part of Portland’s heritage. The first tree planting effort began in Portland in the 1850s with the first tree survey in 1858, which reported 3,300 trees. The first tree ordinance came in 1868 which established a penalty for damaging trees. In the 1960s over 22,000 trees were removed due to Dutch Elm Disease, but in 1978 the city was awarded the first TreeCity USA status, which it maintains today. Let’s build on our legacy of tree stewardship – join this effort today!
100 North: GPL provided written comments in support of a proposal to add a small addition to a house in the Munjoy Hill Historic District. The addition is an appropriate size and scale, with compatible materials and design.
Hearts of Pine: As the local Hearts of Pine soccer team advances their proposal for a new stadium on Cassidy Point, GPL is gathering information. GPL staff has attended and reviewed neighborhood and stakeholder meetings held by the team. More information about the proposal can be found at https://www.heartsofpine.com/cassidypoint/
State:
Maine Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit: GPL is once again partnering with Maine Preservation, MEREDA, and other stakeholders to advocate for legislation that will expand the state’s historic tax credit, which would introduce a homeowner’s credit in Maine, expand the existing credit, and eliminate its sunset. Stay tuned for next steps and your opportunity to support this important effort.
MEREDA- GPL’s Executive Director, Kate Lemos McHale, attended MEREDA’s 2026 Fall Conference this week that focused on the Maine Governor’s race through the lens of the commercial and residential real estate industry, and offered candidates the chance to talk to their approaches to housing policy. Adaptive reuse of historic buildings is a critical part of meeting housing goals while revitalizing communities throughout Maine, and it was great to talk with other members of MEREDA at the conference involved in projects supported by the historic rehabilitation tax credit. While agreeing on the critical need to address Maine’s housing crisis, the three candidates offered vastly different approaches and priorities. Read their plans on their websites to learn more, and make sure to vote on November 3!
National:
Section 106: In partnership with our statewide colleagues at Maine Preservation and the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, GPL staff is opposing the proposed changes to Section 106 of the Historic Preservation Act. The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation has proposed revisions to the federal process charged with protecting historic resources that would virtually eliminate this critical tool, and preservation organizations across the country are pushing back. The national organizations that are leading this effort are asking all of us to contact our state delegations and let them know that we oppose these changes. More information can be found at the sources below. GPL and our partners are crafting language and examples in Maine for formal comment letters, but in the meantime please call or email the Collins, King, and Pingree offices and indicate that you are opposed to the ACHP’s revisions to Section 106. If you would like more details, find guidance, templates, and language at these organizations:
